Regional walking and cycling trails part of Council's Advocacy Plan
Published on 18 June 2020
Council today adopted a Mayoral Minute requesting a report to the July 2020 meeting to provide further detail on the Advocacy Plan component for the development of a regional walking and cycling trails masterplan.
“Council is requesting $250,000 for the regional walking and cycling trails masterplan project that will, among other things, include a review of existing trails and a plan on how to evaluate proposed trails, including the Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail,” said Mayor James Hayes.
The Regional Trails Masterplan advocacy priority reflects Council’s existing position on the Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail, adopted in June 2018 as part of the SVC Destination Management Plan, and reinforces the need for funding to prepare a detailed feasibility study for the proposed development of the Tumut to Batlow rail corridor.
“Advocating for funding for the regional masterplan supports an existing request I had made prior to Christmas to the Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr seeking $50,000 in funding for a detailed feasibility study and independent analysis of the Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail Proposal,” continued Mayor Hayes.
“Dr McGirr has advised that he has forwarded that request to the Deputy Premier for consideration and is awaiting a response.
“Given the recent sentiment expressed regarding the Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail from the community, Councillors have requested more information about how the Masterplan, if funded, would allow for broad community input into trail prioritisation.”
The Master planning process, once completed, is the essential basis for future funding requests and will capture information on community support both positive and negative, project scope, cost and expected regional tourism and economic benefits.
As part of the Council Meeting, a number of items that related to projects contained within the Advocacy Plan were discussed, reflecting Council’s proactive approach to seeking funding and support for key regional projects. These included:
- Funding request for additional $12.5M upgrade to increase emergency capacity at the Aerodrome was provided to the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack during the presentation of $152,000 in funding for surface upgrades on Saturday;
- Discussions with Transport for NSW in relation to safety upgrades at Gocup and Batlow Road intersections with Snowy Mountains Highway, with a commitment from the Regional Manager to present further information to the July Council Meeting.
The completed Advocacy Plan, providing more detail for each of the projects identified as being key to regional economic stimulus in the aftermath of the bushfires and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be released next week.
Ends.